Tottenham’s second exit from a cup competition in the space of four days has been off-set by Son Heung-Min’s likely return for their midweek clash with Watford.
Son has missed the last three games while being on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup, but their surprise quarter-final exit to Qatar means he is back in the fold earlier than expected.
While he has been away, Spurs have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup after losing their semi-final to Chelsea on penalties and the FA Cup following a sub-standard performance in a 2-0 loss at Crystal Palace.
Cheers Son's flying. Nice one. pic.twitter.com/gaMfXJXhOF — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 23, 2018
They are back in Premier League action in midweek and Son will be available.
“On Sunday we were with him on the training ground in the morning,” boss Mauricio Pochettino said.
“He’s so tired, he played three games. Very tough games.
“Of course not too much energy on Sunday, but we hope he’ll be available and ready on Wednesday to help the team.”
TEAM NEWS: 🔹 Heung-Min Son (international duty) Away with South Korea at Asian Cup.#COYS pic.twitter.com/ks9VHv0Q43
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 23, 2019
Pochettino will use Son as he tries to maintain Tottenham’s push for a top-four finish in the Premier League, an achievement the Argentinian says is still their main target.
“Of course I am disappointed because, after Thursday and today again, out of two competitions – you feel disappointed. You can’t feel anything different,” Pochettino said.
“But now we have to be positive. We are still in two competitions, in a good position in the Premier League and the Champions League is a massive motivation for the whole club. We have to be strong.
🗣️ The post-match thoughts of Mauricio at Selhurst Park: pic.twitter.com/CLgE35keXT — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 27, 2019
“Now the realistic targets are trying to be in the top four, try and be close to Manchester City and Liverpool and reduce the gap.
“To be a contender is always difficult for us. (Top four) is realistic.
“Another is to try and beat (Borussia) Dortmund and be in the next round of the Champions League. That is tough.”
Palace boss Roy Hodgson was delighted to see Connor Wickham score his first goal for 799 days.
🦅 | Connor Wickham taps @CPFC in front on his first start in 792 days! pic.twitter.com/PSL8vBzEYh — The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2019
The former Sunderland striker has endured an injury-ravaged time over the last few seasons but put Palace ahead from close range in the first half before Andros Townsend’s penalty doubled the lead.
Hodgson said: “Two years and three months… incredible, isn’t it. It’s a credit to him.
“For Connor, to play and crown it with a goal, that’s good news.
“I believe and hope he can make a contribution, but that would be putting an awful lot of pressure on him.”
